Prop. 47 Blamed for Sudden Rise in Crime Over 2014

A controversial referendum that reduced prison sentences for several categories of minor criminal offense is being blamed for a sharp rise in crime in parts of California, according to Seattle-based Fox News correspondent Dan Springer.

“In November, voters passed Proposition 47, which turned many felonies into misdemeanors. It went into effect immediately.

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“Since then, Los Angeles County has likewise seen a spike in crime. Compared with the same three-month period a year ago, auto theft is up 20 percent, felonies are up 16 percent, misdemeanors are up 27 percent and homicides are up 18 percent.”

Crime had already been rising, coinciding with earlier releases to ease prison overcrowding, he notes.

Proposition 47 passed by a 59% to 41% margin, over the opposition of Republicans. At the time, analysis by Nate Silver’s fivethirtyeight.com claimed that despite fears that crime would rise, “there’s little evidence to substantiate that claim.”

Washington state’s King County, which includes Seattle, is now considering a similar measure.